The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) concluded its 68th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja, Nigeria, reaffirming its commitment to constitutional order, democratic governance, peace, and regional stability.
At a press conference following the summit at the State House in Abuja, ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray summarized key decisions made by member states. The meeting brought together leaders from across the region to address ongoing challenges and advance integration efforts.
The summit included a review of the 2025 Annual Report and an assessment of peace and security conditions in West Africa. Leaders reiterated their stance against unconstitutional changes of government and emphasized their shared responsibility to protect democracy.
Recent presidential and general elections in several member states were recognized as successful, with national authorities commended for preparations for upcoming elections. The progress made in Sierra Leone under the Agreement for National Unity was also noted, with encouragement for continued inclusive political dialogue.
Concerning The Gambia, ECOWAS expressed concern about statements from the former president living in exile in Equatorial Guinea. The Authority stated that these remarks violated asylum conditions and threatened peace and social cohesion. They recalled previous joint declarations regarding his departure from power do not exempt him from accountability for alleged human rights violations between 1994 and 2016. “Heads of State strongly condemned all attempts to destabilise The Gambia and warned that any further interference would attract appropriate consequences, including sanctions for breaches of asylum conditions.”
In Benin, leaders condemned a recent attempted coup d’état aimed at disrupting constitutional governance. They praised Beninese security forces’ response and highlighted regional support through ECOWAS mechanisms such as deploying elements of the Standby Force to neutralize threats. The Commission was instructed to propose measures to strengthen this force.
On Guinea’s transition process toward elections scheduled for December 28, 2025, ECOWAS acknowledged significant progress and directed deeper collaboration with partners to ensure coordinated support. An election observation mission will be deployed during the electoral process.
Regarding Guinea-Bissau, ECOWAS referred back to decisions taken at an extraordinary session on November 27, 2025. Election observation missions described recent elections as free and peaceful. However, the Authority rejected a transition program announced by military leaders there and demanded immediate release of political detainees along with restoration of constitutional order: “The Authority rejected the so-called transition programme announced by the military leadership, demanded the immediate release of all political detainees, and called for the prompt restoration of constitutional order, including full respect for the rights of all political actors to participate freely in the political process.”
The session concluded with a collective pledge: “the Authority reaffirmed its collective determination to defend democracy, uphold constitutional order and strengthen regional peace and security,” stating that ECOWAS will continue acting decisively alongside member states.
ECOWAS is a regional intergovernmental organization headquartered in Abuja since its establishment through the Treaty of Lagos on May 28, 1975 [source]. It aims to promote cooperation among West African countries through harmonized policies covering trade, transport, agriculture, economic integration initiatives [source], policy alignment [source], free movement protocols [source], legal frameworks [source], as well as social development programs across twelve core countries [source]. In 2007 it transitioned its secretariat into a commission structure led by a president supported by vice presidents and commissioners [source].